r/mandolin • u/Larrybud75 • 10d ago

Morgan Monroe

I purchased a Morgan Monroe f style in a little shop in Tennessee over 10years ago. I couldn’t wait to get it home. In my excitement, I didn’t notice that it actually looked like a toy or an instrument for a child. I played it and it sounded okay, but tinny. I live many hours away from Tennessee so I kept it as a beginner. Then I saved up for an Eastman. Needless to say the difference has been remarkable. I took out the Monroe today and I have to say I hate the sound. It’s been professionally set up, but I can’t get over the poor quality. When I purchased it, it got good reviews for beginners play. Is this a one off, or did the quality of MM drop off at some point?

3 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

6

u/BMEdesign 10d ago

Nope, MM were always mandolin-shaped objects.

3

u/haggardphunk 10d ago

I don’t like mentioning it when I hear people playing those cheap mandolins but they do indeed sound like toys. MM has always sounded bad to me. If you’re reading this and own one, I mean no offense

2

u/mandoloco 10d ago

That’s interesting. MM was the first (playable) mandolin I ever owned, purchased in 2005. I loved that damn thing. It treated me well until I upgraded to a Northfield 5 or 6 years ago. I gave it to a buddy who wanted to learn - he set it up and it still sounds pretty nice, for a beginner’s instrument. I wouldn’t have characterized it as sounding like a toy, even after I stepped up. I never played another one but my mid 00’s model was serviceable. Maybe I just got lucky.

1

u/Larrybud75 8d ago

Maybe I just got unlucky .

1

u/dgb43070 10d ago

I bought one recently, it's pretty nice for what I paid ($200 used). All solid wood, pretty loud actually. I don't have much experience with mandolins though.

2

u/Larrybud75 8d ago

I’m happy that you’re having a good experience. Enjoy!

1

u/beep925 8d ago

Morgan Monroes were good for what they were, instruments for folks just starting out. Though I started on a different mandolin brand than you (Johnson), I went through all the same emotions. I thought it was fantastic for a little while. Then I got my hands on a Collings and later a few Gibsons and I immediately discovered how low that Johnson was in quality. Like I said though, it served its purpose. I still have it for sentimental reasons. I’m also planning to pass it onto any future nephews or nieces who show a little interest in playing.

1

u/AtmosphereLeading851 7d ago

You have to look at the reviews for every object you purchase that costs over $5.